Galway Balanced schedule Tours & Trip Packages

Galway Balanced schedule Tours & Trips

145 Galway trips. Tours from 56 tour companies. 371 reviews. 4.8/5 avg rating.

102 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Balanced schedule
Best of Ireland in 14 Days Tour
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
1/5 Terrible
23 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Connemara, Dingle Peninsula, Dublin, Galway

Highlights

  • Dublin, learning about its rich history from the days of Viking raids
  • Enjoy scenic drive along the forests, mountains, and lakes of Killarney National Park
  • Experience walk along the local paths and lanes, hire a bicycle and pedal the scenic 30-mile Dingle Loop
  • Enjoying the beautiful Irish countryside
  • Enjoy dramatic Cliffs of Moher, where you'll find yourself leaning into the wind

Themes

Cultural, Hiking & Walking, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"We purchased two backpacks from Rick Steves Europe. One of them arrived damaged and unusable. Their website says that you must contact them if you receive damaged merchandise. I have attempted to email them through their website and I have left 3 voicemails (nobody answers the phone, ever!) and nobody has contacted me back. At this point, it seems like I've been ripped off. Buyer beware. Extremely disappointed."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Ireland in Depth
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
5/5 Excellent
35 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kilkenny

Highlights

  • Visit Killarney and the 110-mile Ring of Kerry, boasting some of Ireland’s most astonishing scenery
  • See the awesome Cahir Castle featured a state-of-the-art defensive design, is now one of Ireland's best-preserved castles
  • Visit Cobh which was a major emigration point for families, discover the story of Irish emigration and the era of the great ocean liners
  • Explore Galway on a walking tour through the city

Themes

Cultural, Overland Journeys

What travelers are saying

"I've traveled with this company 4 times and find the value and service outstanding. If you are on a slim budget try the " last minute" opportunities. We got an incredible deal on a river cruise two months out."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Ireland Biking
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.9/5 Excellent
74 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Connemara, Galway

Highlights

  • Explore the sleepy village of Roundstone on foot
  • Fabulous cycling along the breathtaking Wild Atlantic Way to the famous Cliffs of Moher
  • Ride through the spectacular limestone landscapes of the Burren National Park
  • Enjoy cycle your way through Inagh Valley

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Cycling & Biking, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"Butterfield and Robinson just planned and executed a great, great trip for us to the Amalfi coast. All the services and hotels were wonderful and the guides were great fun and and well informed. Many nice surprises along the way and an itinerary we would have had trouble putting together on our own was effortless. All guides were well trained the transportation and drivers were polite and on time. The recommended hotels were amazing. We loved every minute of our vacation."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Introduction to Ireland
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Dublin, Galway

Highlights

  • Dublin : Orientation drive; welcome dinner
  • Kildare : Guided tour of the Irish National Stud
  • Rock of cashel: Take photographs of this famous landmark
  • Limerick: Orientation drive
  • Cliffs of moher: Savor the spectacular views
Show more

Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"This tour has amazing sites, good hotels in great locations, great pace BUT the tour director that was assigned to be with our small group added nothing to the experience. He did not give us any info, tell us about what we were seeing, give us any info at all. The only time he talked was to tell us when the next bathroom break would be. Apparently this is common for Globus to use retirees starting another chapter. Our guide was 76 and had no energy. Travel with Gate 1 or Intreped.... guides can make or break a tour."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Celtic Highlights
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Belfast, Blair Castle, Britain, Derry, Dublin, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Galway, Glasgow, Inverness, Lake District, Liverpool, Loch Lomond, Loch Ness, Snowdonia

Highlights

  • Blair atholl: Visit Blair Castle
  • Edinburgh : Guided sightseeing, visit Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace (excluding August and other occasional dates)
  • Grasmere: Visit Wordsworth’s village, try original Grasmere gingerbread
  • Liverpool : Visit The Beatles Story
  • Caernarvon : Admire the impressive castle
Show more

Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"This tour has amazing sites, good hotels in great locations, great pace BUT the tour director that was assigned to be with our small group added nothing to the experience. He did not give us any info, tell us about what we were seeing, give us any info at all. The only time he talked was to tell us when the next bathroom break would be. Apparently this is common for Globus to use retirees starting another chapter. Our guide was 76 and had no energy. Travel with Gate 1 or Intreped.... guides can make or break a tour."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Britain & Ireland in Depth
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Bath, Belfast, Britain, Cotswolds, Derry, Dingle Peninsula, Dublin, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Galway, Glasgow, Inverness, Lake District, Liverpool, Loch Lomond, Loch Ness, London, Plymouth, Snowdonia, Stonehenge, York

Highlights

  • London: Guided sightseeing, visit St. Paul’s Cathedral
  • Stonehenge : Visit the prehistoric monumentDARTMOOR
  • Cornwall : Take pictures of St. Michael’s Mount, visit St. Ives; Plymouth Sound cruise
  • Bath : Visit the Roman relics
  • Fishguard-rosslare : Cross St. George’s Channel by ferry
Show more

Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"This tour has amazing sites, good hotels in great locations, great pace BUT the tour director that was assigned to be with our small group added nothing to the experience. He did not give us any info, tell us about what we were seeing, give us any info at all. The only time he talked was to tell us when the next bathroom break would be. Apparently this is common for Globus to use retirees starting another chapter. Our guide was 76 and had no energy. Travel with Gate 1 or Intreped.... guides can make or break a tour."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More

Unlock Community Benefits

Travel better together

  • Save favorite trips and itineraries
  • Get insider insights
  • Receive personalized recommendations
  • ... and much more
Join community
Emerald Isle
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Connemara, Dingle Peninsula, Dublin, Galway

Highlights

  • Dublin : Orientation drive; welcome dinner
  • Kildare : Guided tour of the Irish National Stud
  • Strokestown house: Guided tour of the house and Famine Museum, and visit the gardens
  • Kylemore : Visit the Benedictine abbey
  • Connemara : Visit a marble workshop
Show more

Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"This tour has amazing sites, good hotels in great locations, great pace BUT the tour director that was assigned to be with our small group added nothing to the experience. He did not give us any info, tell us about what we were seeing, give us any info at all. The only time he talked was to tell us when the next bathroom break would be. Apparently this is common for Globus to use retirees starting another chapter. Our guide was 76 and had no energy. Travel with Gate 1 or Intreped.... guides can make or break a tour."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
From the Shannon to the Thames
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Bath, Belfast, Britain, Dublin, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Galway, London, Stonehenge, York

Highlights

  • Limerick : Welcome dinner
  • Cliffs of moher : Savor the spectacular views
  • Galway: Orientation
  • Rathbaun farm: See the farmer at work and enjoy traditional tea in the farmhouse
  • Adare : Admire the thatched cottages
Show more

Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"This tour has amazing sites, good hotels in great locations, great pace BUT the tour director that was assigned to be with our small group added nothing to the experience. He did not give us any info, tell us about what we were seeing, give us any info at all. The only time he talked was to tell us when the next bathroom break would be. Apparently this is common for Globus to use retirees starting another chapter. Our guide was 76 and had no energy. Travel with Gate 1 or Intreped.... guides can make or break a tour."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Travelstride Gift Card
One card, thousands of extraordinary trips
Gifts Card

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Design custom trip
102 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Balanced schedule

Galway Reviews & Ratings

4.8/5  Excellent
371  Reviews
See all Galway tour reviews
Excellent
99
Great
14
Average
0
Disappointing
0
Terrible
3
J

James Armstrong

Sep 2023

Written on

Britain and Ireland Grandeur

Way over priced, a very poor value for the experience.

T

Trusted Customer

Sep 2023

Written on

Britain and Ireland Grandeur

See remarks at top of this page.

W

William Fitzgerald

Aug 2023

Written on

Britain and Ireland Grandeur

For anyone who has the time for a three week tour and wants to visit Great Britain and Ireland they will be hard pressed to fine a better and more thorough tour than...

D

Dianne Dixon-Brown

Jul 2023

Written on

Britain and Ireland Grandeur

Too many passengers crammed onto the bus.

D

Dina Nicklason

Jul 2023

Written on

Britain and Ireland Grandeur

The itinerary was intense, but we saw So much. Enjoyed our hotels. We would have brought fewer clothes if we had known that laundry was available often enough. In Lo...

Write a Review

Galway Tour Selection Trips

  • You will probably be taken to at least one pub on your guided tour of Galway, however, there are tons of options in the city. If you have the free time, we recommend stopping in a couple of pubs to get a better feel of the city, and hopefully catch a couple extra live music performances!
  • Galway is known for its fresh and delicious seafood, especially its oysters. Be sure to try some on your trip, and if you really care about food, then consider going on a Galway Food Tour!
  • Galway is not well known as a place for historical tours, so it’s unlikely that you’ll find a tour specifically focusing on it. However, Galway does have a fascinating history and a unique role in Ireland’s own history. As a result you should look for a tour that includes some historic sightseeing on its itinerary.

Additional details

Galway Weather & When to Visit

Galway’s weather is seasonal, though it does not experience any massive changes. Weather is cool year-round, although it is coldest in the winter, when the city can receive some snow (chances of precipitation are slightly higher in the winter as well.)

Average temperatures between November until February are around 40 degrees Fahrenheit, often dropping in the evenings to a below-freezing point.

The warmest time of the year, generally considered the best time to travel to Galway, is in the end of summer. Between July to September is actually the warmest time of the year in Galway, with average temperatures sitting in the mid-50’s, and highs commonly reaching the high 60’s. Traveling in September or even October, when temperatures start to drop, is also advisable because these months tend to round out the tourist season. You not only have a better chance of getting travel discounts, but you will also experience less crowds in general.

For these reasons, some will also recommend traveling in late spring. However, it is significantly warmer in the fall, and the tourist crowds in Galway are never overwhelming, and so we stand by our beliefs that late summer and early fall are truly the best times to see Galway.

Galway Food & Food Tours

Galway’s new restaurant scene, along with its classic pubs, make it a popular place for a growing number of food tours in the city. On a tour of Ireland, going on a food tour is a great way to break up the routine and learn something new. 

On your tour, you will get to try new a lot of new food, yes, but that isn’t the only thing you walk away with. With each treat, the manufacturer or your tour guide will probably explain how the food is produced, and the history of this kind of food in the region.

For example, in Galway, you are guaranteed to try some kind of seafood. Whether it’s fresh oyster with a little bit of cream on top, or a delicious nibble of smoked salmon on brown Irish soda bread, you will learn about the ingredients but also learn about Galway’s past as a main sea port. In this way, you take away more than just the food you sampled, you learn a significant amount about the past.

Some of the other classic foods you may taste on your tour of Galway include local cheeses, locally-distilled Irish spirits and microbrews, fragrant and tasty sausages, and probably some sweets as well!

Galway Music Scene

Galway is known for its traditional Irish music, and for good reason. Galway has one of the best folk music scenes in Ireland, with many pubs having quality music on a consistent schedule that appeal not just to tourists, but to the locals.

One thing to be aware of is that folk music, while sometimes featuring a set performer, is not necessarily a planned show. Usually performances are called “sessions”, in which folk performers are invited to come play. As a result, the instruments, songs played, and number of performers are highly variable.

Another common way to experience traditional music is to take a festival tour of Galway. Most festivals in the city feature some kind of folk performance and song, and are a particularly fun way to meet the locals and experience the area.  

Some of the most famous pubs for music in Galway include:

  • The Quays
  • Barr and Chaladh
  • Tigh Coili
  • Taafres
  • The Spanish Arch Bar
  • The Crane
  • Monroes

Always Find the Best

On Travelstride you can find 145 trips to Galway and more than 20,000 trips worldwide ranging from budget to luxury and private guided to group tours and everything in between. Only on Stride can you find and compare expert-planned trips from 1,000+ tour operators, cruise lines and local experts. Read traveler and professional reviews so you can confidently find your perfect trip.

Top Tour Companies on Travelstride:
All 1,600+ companies >
Sign in to reveal savings up to $700 per person!